Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Explain the importance of personal and food hygiene.
• Demonstrate key personal hygiene practices.
• Identify safe food handling practices.
• List common diseases caused by poor hygiene.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on personal hygiene, which is the practice of keeping our bodies clean to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases. In Ghana, where we live closely in our communities and share many things, practising good personal hygiene is not just for our own health, but for the health of our family, friends, and everyone around us. From preventing common illnesses like diarrhoea, cholera, and skin infections (`craw-craw`) to feeling confident and being respected by others, personal hygiene is a vital life skill. Today, we will move beyond just knowing *about* hygiene and focus on *how to do it* correctly.

Lesson notes

What is Personal Hygiene? Personal hygiene refers to all the actions a person takes to keep their body and clothes clean and healthy. It is about taking care of yourself to prevent illness and feel good. It is a sign of self-respect and respect for others.

Key Personal Hygiene Skills to Demonstrate A. Hand Hygiene (Effective Handwashing) This is the single most important hygiene practice to prevent the spread of germs. Our hands touch everything—door handles, money, tables, and then our mouths, noses, and eyes. Why it's important: Germs (like bacteria and viruses) are invisible. Washing hands with soap and water removes these germs and prevents them from entering our bodies or spreading to others, which can cause diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, and respiratory infections like the common cold or COVID-19. Rinsing with only water is not enough; soap is needed to break down the grease and oils that hold germs to our skin. When to Wash Your Hands (Critical Moments): After using the toilet or latrine. Before preparing, serving, or eating food. After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. After touching animals or animal waste. After touching garbage or rubbish. When you come home from school, the market, or playing outside. Before and after caring for someone who is sick. How to Wash Your Hands Properly (The Skill Demonstration): *(This can be demonstrated using a Veronica bucket, a tap, or a bowl of water).* Step 1: Wet - Wet your hands with clean, running water. Step 2: Soap - Apply enough soap (liquid or bar) to cover all hand surfaces. Step 3: Lather & Scrub (20 seconds) - Rub your hands together vigorously. This should take about as long as singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Make sure to scrub all surfaces, including: Palms and back of hands. In between your fingers. The tips of your fingers against your palms. Your thumbs. Under your nails. Step 4: Rinse - Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. Step 5: Dry - Dry your hands using a clean cloth, a towel, or by air drying them. B. Body Hygiene (Bathing/Washing) Why it's important: Bathing regularly (at least once a day, and more if you have been sweating a lot) removes sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells. It helps to prevent body odour and skin infections like ringworm and rashes. How to do it: Use clean water and soap. Use a sponge (`sapor`) or washcloth to scrub the entire body, paying special attention to armpits, the groin area, and feet. After bathing, dry yourself with a clean towel. C. Oral Hygiene (Dental Care) Why it's important: To prevent tooth decay (cavities), gum disease, and bad breath (`mouth odour`). A healthy mouth allows you to eat and speak properly. How to do it: Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and before bed) with fluoride toothpaste. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Brush all surfaces of your teeth: the outside, inside, and the chewing surfaces. Also, brush your tongue gently to remove bacteria. Traditionally, a chewing stick (`sokodua`) can be used, but ensure it is clean and used properly to clean all tooth surfaces. D. Nail and Hair Care Why it's important: Dirt and germs can get trapped under long fingernails, which can then be transferred to your food and mouth. Unkempt hair can harbour lice and cause scalp infections. How to do it: Nails: Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed short and clean. Scrub under them when you wash your hands. Hair: Wash your hair regularly with soap or shampoo. Keep it neatly combed or styled. This prevents dandruff and lice. E. Clean Clothing and Footwear Why it's important: Dirty clothes, especially underwear and socks, can harbour germs and lead to skin infections and body odour. How to do it: Wear clean clothes every day. School uniforms should be washed regularly. Underwear and socks must be changed daily. Wash clothes with soap and water and dry them completely, preferably in the sun, as sunlight helps to kill germs.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Instructions for the Teacher: Read each question aloud, allow students to think and discuss in pairs, and then guide them to the correct answer and reasoning. For Question 3, perform a live demonstration.

Evaluation guide

• B8.1.1.1
• Demonstrate
• understanding of basic
• practices that depict